PDM Implementor Forum (PDM IF)

Duration

since 2015

Tasks

Joint testing performed by developers and the availability of agreed best practices for users provide the foundation for the interoperability of standards-based solutions. One of the main tasks performed by the PDM IF is therefore drawing up best practices for implementing PDM2PDM collaboration scenarios based on the STEP AP242 Business Object Model. Implementation guidelines (referred to as "Recommended Practices") are created and validated in joint test rounds by the participating vendors on the basis of the requirements identified in the use cases. The PDM IF is promoted jointly by prostep ivip and the French AFNeT. It enables the strategic exchange of information and experience for users and system vendors.

Milestones 2018

The User Group continued its work on common PDM use cases. In particular, the Visual Issue Management (VIM) scenario, as presented at the 2018 prostep ivip Symposium, has been generalized to reflect the requirements of all User Group members, and detailed testing steps have been defined.

The Implementor Group completed and published version 2.0 of the Recommended Practices for STEP AP242 XML Product and Assembly Structure, which provide the foundation for interoperable interfaces to this important process format across all domains. The two rounds of testing performed this year indicate that the scope and quality of the participating interfaces has once again increased.

Outlook 2019

The User Group will define requirements for a software tool to view and assess AP242 XML files before they are imported into a PLM system. The objective is to quickly verify which relevant data is provided and that it is stored at the agreed locations in the file. A use case for “as-built” product structures and their links to the “as-designed” structure will be defined to enable continuity throughout the entire product lifecycle.

The implementors will build on their work to support multiple part IDs for supplier collaboration as well as multiple languages with the aim of providing support for the VIM use case defined by the User Group. This will include testing CAx-PDM collaboration scenarios with other implementor groups.